Strike: Reps Wade Into ASUU–FG Face-Off
The House of Representatives has announced plans to intervene in the ongoing face-off between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in a bid to end the two-week warning strike declared by the union on Monday.
The resolution followed a motion moved on Tuesday by Sesi Whinga, a lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress, during plenary.
Whinga said the intervention by the green chamber’s leadership aims to find a lasting solution to the recurring industrial crisis that has crippled academic activities across Nigeria’s public universities for years.
ASUU had on Monday commenced a two-week nationwide warning strike after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government to address its long-standing demands.
The strike, which is the union’s first nationwide action in nearly three years, has already disrupted examinations and lectures in several universities.
Among the union’s grievances are the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU–FG Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for the tertiary education sector.
The lecturers are also demanding payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld cooperative deductions.
The renegotiation of the 2009 agreement has remained unresolved since 2017, despite several committees set up by successive administrations.
The most recent committee, chaired by former Head of Service Yayale Ahmed, submitted its report in December 2024, but implementation has yet to commence.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tunji Alausa, has reportedly directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s No Work, No Pay policy for lecturers participating in the strike.
Lawmakers, however, say the House leadership will engage both parties in the coming days to prevent a full-blown shutdown of the nation’s tertiary institutions and restore stability to the university system.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
